Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Upstate Dems Want Cuomo in the Race
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Jan 31, 2010
Modified Jan 31, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Jan 31, 2010
Modified Jan 31, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Sources are divulging that at a private Saturday night meeting, a majority of upstate Democratic leaders voiced support for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo as the party’s nominee for governor, and some even called for Gov. Paterson to drop out of the race. According to one report, 15 of the 17 Dems present said they either supported Cuomo outright, or will support him when he officially declares his candidacy. "It's not working. Paterson's a decent man, but there's a question as to whether the leadership qualities are there," one attendee, Vincent Monte, chairman of the Rockland County Democratic Committee, told the Times Union. "With Cuomo, there's no question. I'm very supportive of his candidacy."
The meeting took place despite the best efforts of Gov. Paterson, who called at least three of its attendees earlier in the week, asking them to hold off endorsing the attorney general. Though most were reluctant to speak, more than one leader confirmed his probable fears: "The overwhelming consensus in the room was that Andrew Cuomo should run," said Orange County Democratic Chairman Jonathan Jacobson. "People expressed either outright support for him, or said he should run."
Of course no one can say exactly what went on behind closed doors, and some tried to spin the consensus the other way, or deny inclinations in either direction. Unlike the Post and the Times Union, who called the meeting in favor of Cuomo, the Daily News said the vote was still out. They quoted Schenectady County Democratic Chairman Brian Quail: "I support the governor, and I think the governor has the overwhelming support of party leaders across the state." Yet another attendee coyly stated that the public would have to stay tuned: "You're not going to know what the statewide ticket is no matter how many ways you ask that," said June O’Neil, a St. Lawrence County Democrat. "You've got to keep your powder dry a little bit longer."
Tagged
Albany
Attorney General Andrew CUomo
attorney general cuomo
gov paterson
upstate democrats
Sabrina Jaszi
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026 at 1:49 p.m. ET
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .